Six Suffolk schools were among hundreds across the UK to receive an email this morning claiming a bomb would be detonated if demands were not met.

The email is thought to have been sent from America and was sent to schools across the UK - including Thurston Community College in Bury St Edmunds.

Some of the schools are reported to have been evacuated after receiving the threat.

Suffolk police said it had received six reports of malicious hoax communications made to schools.

“Officers take hoaxes extremely seriously,” a police spokesman added.,

“They divert police resources and cause disruption and alarm to the public.

“Suffolk County Council is working to support police and the affected schools.”

Helen Wilson, principal at Thurston Community College, posted a message on the school’s website explaining what happened.

Following this morning’s security concern at the College, I am pleased to confirm that a bomb threat we received by email at 09:34 this morning was a hoax.

“Having taken advice from the Local Authority and the Police, we can now return to our normal daily routine.

Miss Wilson added: “Thank you all very much indeed for your support.”

Suffolk police is appealing for anyone with information to contact 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.